The Hillingdon Council Cabinet met on Thursday, 26 January 2017, to discuss the standards of education in the borough, the council's budget, and the leases for two children's centres. The Cabinet agreed to the recommendations presented in the reports for each of these items.

Standards and Quality in Education

The Cabinet received an annual report on the standards of education in Hillingdon for 2015-16. Councillor David Simmonds CBE, Cabinet Member for Education, presented the report, highlighting that 87% of schools in the borough are now rated as good or outstanding, an increase from 80%. He acknowledged the council's limited powers and funding in this area, with the council's role primarily focused on encouraging schools and headteachers to address concerns and promoting good practice.

However, two areas of concern were identified. Firstly, Hillingdon's secondary schools continue to lag behind national averages in helping students gain entry to high-quality universities. Secondly, Stockley Academy has been a persistent cause for concern due to its ongoing struggles, with the latest Ofsted report indicating that the school would no longer be permitted to host newly qualified teachers. Councillor Simmonds expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of decisive action from those with the power to intervene, despite writing to the Secretary of State. The Cabinet agreed to the recommendations in the report.

Council Budget 2016-17

Councillor Jonathan Bianco, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Corporate Services & Property, presented the Month 8 (November) Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring report. The council is currently forecasting an underspend of just under £1.5 million, an improvement of nearly a quarter of a million from the previous month. General fund balances are projected to be over £36 million by the year-end, exceeding the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) assumptions.

The general fund capital programme is underspending by £13.4 million, with £4.5 million attributed to favourable cost variances (savings) and £8.8 million due to slippage, meaning the money will be spent in due course. The Cabinet noted the forecast position, the Treasury Management update, and approved the delegation to the Leader and Chief Executive to approve consultancy and agency assignments over £15,000. They also accepted a grant from the Environment Agency for contaminated land remediation at the former New Year's Green landfill site in Harefield, to be completed by 31 March 2017. Additionally, gift funding for planning performance agreements for the proposed Western Rail link to Heathrow and Brunel University was approved.

Councillor Douglas Mills commented on the positive financial position, noting that other councils would be envious. Councillor Wayne Bridges, Cabinet Member for Community & Environment, highlighted the significant investment in the borough, including the recent opening of four parks and ongoing road resurfacing projects, attributing these to sound financial management. The Cabinet agreed to the recommendations.

Musi Cornerstone Children's Centre and Oak Farm Children's Centre Leases

Councillor Jonathan Bianco also presented a report on the leases for Musi Cornerstone Children's Centre and Oak Farm Children's Centre. The council proposed to take leases for both centres, which were built in 2009, to formalise their operation. The terms include a peppercorn rent, with both the landlord and tenant having break options. This formalisation will clarify responsibilities for repairs and maintenance. Councillor Bianco noted that the council had been seeking to resolve these lease issues since at least 2012. The Cabinet agreed to the recommendations, with Councillor Susan O'Brien, Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education, emphasizing the council's commitment to the efficient running of children's centres and stating that closing them down was not an option in Hillingdon.

School Capital Programme Updates

Councillor David Simmonds CBE provided an update on the school capital programme. He noted that the Department for Education (DfE) had approved several Hillingdon-based academy trusts to bid for running secondary schools in the borough. The report also covered the schools' condition programme, with Councillor Simmonds expressing relief that no issues similar to those seen in Scotland, where schools built under PFI were found to be structurally unsound, had occurred in Hillingdon. The Cabinet agreed to the recommendation.